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Radio wave)
Radio waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than infrared light. Naturally-occurring radio waves are produced by lightning, or by astronomical objects. Artificially-generated radio waves are used for broadcasting, mobile and fixed communications, navigation, computer networks and innumerable other applications. Different frequencies of radio waves have different propagation characteristics in the Earth's atmosphere; long waves may cover a part of the Earth very consistently, shorter waves can reflect off the ionosphere and travel around the world, and much shorter wavelengths bend or reflect very little and travel on a line of sight.
Diagram of the electric (E) and magnetic (H) fields of Radio Waves emanating from a radio transmitting
antenna (small dark vertical line in the center). The E and H fields are perpendicular as implied by the phase diagram in the lower right.
[edit] Discovery and utilization
Radio waves were first predicted by mathematical work done in 1865 by James Clerk Maxwell. Maxwell noticed wavelike properties of light and similarities in electrical and magnetic observations. He then proposed equations, that described light waves and radio waves as waves of electromagnetism that travel in space. In 1887, Heinrich Hertz demonstrated the reality of Maxwell's electromagnetic waves by experimentally generating radio waves in his laboratory. Many inventions followed, making practical the use of radio waves to transfer information through space..
[edit] Propagation
The study of electromagnetic phenomena such as reflection, refraction, polarization, diffraction and absorption is of critical importantance in the study of how radio waves move in free space and over the surface of the Earth. Different frequencies experience different combinations of these phenomena in the Earth's atmosphere, making certain radio bands more useful for specific purposes than others.
[edit] Radio communication
In order to receive radio signals, for instance from AM/FM radio stations, a radio antenna must be used. However, since the antenna will pick up thousands of radio signals at a time, a radio tuner is necessary to tune in to a particular frequency (or frequency range).[1] This is typically done via a resonator (in its simplest form, a circuit with a capacitor and an inductor). The resonator is configured to resonate at a particular frequency (or frequency band), thus amplifying sine waves at that radio frequency, while ignoring other sine waves. Usually, either the inductor or the capacitor of the resonator is adjustable, allowing the user to change the frequency at which it resonates.[2]
[edit] Special properties of RF electrical signals
Electrical currents that oscillate at RF have special properties not shared by direct current signals. One such property is the ease with which they can ionize air to create a conductive path through air. This property is exploited by 'high frequency' units used in electric arc welding, although strictly speaking these machines do not typically employ frequencies within the HF band. Another special property is an electromagnetic force that drives the RF current to the surface of conductors, known as the skin effect. Another property is the ability to appear to flow through paths that contain insulating material, like the dielectric insulator of a capacitor. The degree of effect of these properties depends on the frequency of the signals.
[edit] In medicine
Radio frequency (RF) energy has been used in medical treatments for over 75 years[3] generally for minimally invasive surgeries and coagulation, including the treatment of sleep apnea.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Brain, Marshall (2000-12-07). "How Radio Works". HowStuffWorks.com. http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/radio8.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
- ^ Brain, Marshall (2000-12-08). "How Oscillators Work". HowStuffWorks.com. http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/oscillator3.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
- ^ Ruey J. Sung and Michael R. Lauer (2000). Fundamental approaches to the management of cardiac arrhythmias. Springer. p. 153. ISBN 9780792365594. http://books.google.com/books?id=S1fWhl2c5zIC&pg=PA153&dq=rf+coagulation+75-years&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=IIhuSpfBJ6aqlQT-n7nmDg.
- ^ Melvin A. Shiffman, Sid J. Mirrafati, Samuel M. Lam and Chelso G. Cueteaux (2007). Simplified Facial Rejuvenation. Springer. p. 157. ISBN 9783540710967. http://books.google.com/books?id=w1fQK21WK28C&pg=RA1-PA157&dq=rf+coagulation+sleep-apnea&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=ZYduSumzKJCckgT_-bHdDg.
